It’s Mardi Gras, people. Time to party. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

There are celebrations being held all over the world, but the two best are Carnival in Rio and the craziness of America’s own New Orleans. By best I mean the most drinking, parades, and public nudity. You may have your own ranking system.

If you can’t get to Brazil or New Orleans there are plenty of other places to enjoy the celebration before Lent sets in (although, my personal experience has shown a lot more people seem to partake in Fat Tuesday than Ash Wednesday — go figure).

St. Louis throws a nice party as does Mississippi’s West Coast (both of which offer lots of family fun). Most cities feature some sort of celebration, although they tend to focus on Fat Tuesday (February 21) rather than weeks of debauchery. San Diego claims to have the best party out west, but I recall one Fat Tuesday in Seattle that brought out police in riot gear, which is always a sign that things are pretty wild (also a sign that it is time to duck down an alley and get the heck out of there).

If you want something that the kids will enjoy (not that they won’t get a kick out of the above, but the parents will probably have a nervous breakdown), then check out the rolling good times at Disneyland. Yes, Disneyland. Parades start tomorrow (February 10) and the fun runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in New Orleans Square (check link below for dates, subject to change).

Disney’s New Orleans Bayou Bash has all of your favorite Disney characters, street performers, food, and music, and runs well into March.

Unfortunately there isn’t any drinking at Disney’s party, but a quick walk through Downtown Disney, one of the Disney hotels or Disney’s California Adventure can wet your whistle quick enough. Please note, they do tend to frown on public nudity.

Party on!

Photo: Mark Gstohl via Flickr

Christmas may be over, but that doesn’t mean the holidays are! New Year’s Eve is right around the corner and there is lots of fun to be had (please drink responsibly).

While New Orleans would be awesome, it may not be quite as family-friendly as New Orleans Square in Disneyland. Sure, both have beads and Dixie, but one has less public nudity (Disneyland). So there’s that. (And you can buy drinks at Disney’s California Adventure or Downtown Disney)

However you spend New Year’s Eve, make it safe for everyone. Don’t drink and drive!

Photo: Disneyland Resort

They went. They jumped in a lake.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and in addition to the real reasons that this holiday exists, there are a number of other reasons to stop and think for a minute (or more if you can spare the time).

No, I’m not talking about shopping and no financing until August, although that’s a great deal. I’m talking about travel and the increased risks that accompany a long weekend.

People are celebrating the end of school, the turning of the seasons and the day off of work, many of them by drinking. I don’t judge. However, some of these revelers sadly fall into the idiot group and will follow said celebrations by climbing behind the wheel of their car. This is where the judging starts.

There is a lot of fun to be had over Memorial Day weekend, don’t ruin it by doing something careless. If you’re on the road be safe and sober, people!

As you may have deduced by the photo of children playing in Washington’s Lake Sammamish, this post is part of our Friday Family series.

Photo by W. Honea

¡Salud!

Today is Cinco de Mayo, the day that celebrates Mexico’s defeat of the French (1862). Oddly enough, it’s not that big of a holiday in Mexico, but it’s huge in the United States (see, reason to drink).

This is a Wordless Wednesday post, give or take some words.

Photo from Flickr Commons: